Display apparatus



y 1968 H. J. HOLLAND ETAL 3,392,847

DI SPLAY APPARATUS Filed June 3, 1966 5 SEeets-Sheet 1 #58:!!! ,7.#011,170 Ina/men .l. lrrzzza Jinn I. Fnzxrrn 51/4 I Ila/2w July 16, 1968H. J. HOLLAND ET AL DISPLAY APPARATUS Filed June 5, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet2 a M W Z i w 0M4. in fa,

y 1968 H. J. HOLLAND ETAL 3,

DI SPLAY APPARATUS '5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 5, 1966 irraznzrs UnitedStates Patent 3,392,847 DISPLAY APPARATUS Herbert J. Holland and BernardL. Gottlieb, Los Angeles,

Joseph S. Falsetti, Inglewood, and Selig J. Smith, Sherman Oaks, Calif.,assignors to Mattel, Inc., a corporation of California Filed June 3,1966, Ser. No. 555,139 Claims. (Cl. 21113) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Arigid open wire frame having folded cardboard enclosures removablyhousing the upper and lower ends of the frame. The lower enclosure hasan upper surface for supporting a doll or a seat for a doll and holdingmeans on the frame hold the doll in position on the surface or seat. Theupper enclosure has a front face on which an identifying label isremovably mounted.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for displaying articles,such as toy figures or dolls, and, more particularly, pertains to adisplay apparatus comprising separable parts which can be readilyinterchanged to display one or more articles of various sizes andconfigurations.

It is an object of the present invent-ion to provide a display apparatuswhich is economical to manufacture, readily assembled and disassembled,simple in construction, and which comprises parts that are readilyinterchangeable to enable it to be used for displaying various types ofarticles.

Another object is the provision of a new and improved apparatus fordisplaying one or more articles of various configurations and sizes, andin various positions.

A further object is to provide a display apparatus which is especiallyadapted for supporting one or more miniature or toy figures, such asdolls, of various configurations and sizes, and in various positions,such as a standing, sitting or walking position.

Still another object is the provision of a display apparatus comprisingparts which may be readily assembled into a substantially rigidstructure which is self-supporting on a support surface, or which may besupported in an elevated position on a suitable support, such as a wallor frame or the like.

A still further object is the provision of a new and improved displayapparatus which is streamlined and attractive in appearance and which isso constructed as to focus attention on the one or more articles beingdisplayed thereon.

An additional object is to provide a new and improved display apparatuswhich incorporates a marquee for the identification of one or morearticles being displayed thereon, the marquee being adapted to removablysupport identifying labels having names or characters thereon whichcorrespond to the article or articles being displayed on the stand.

According to the present invention, the display apparatus comprises anupstanding, self-supporting frame comprising a series of horizontal andvertical wire elements which may be removably or permanently, rigidlysecured together. A pair of enclosures, preferably for-med of a materialsuch as cardboard which can be set up from a relatively flat, foldableblank, are removably secured over the ends of the wire frame. Theenclosure at the upper end is provided with a marquee which is adaptedto removably receive identifying labels having names or other charactersthereon for identifying articles to be displayed on the apparatus. Thecardboard enclosure at the lower 3,392,847 Patented July 16, 1968 end ofthe wire frame serves as a base for supporting articles to be displayedon the apparatus, and also is provided with one or more slots oropenings in the upper surface thereof for removably receiving one ormore resilient channel members that are adapted to slidably receivevarious types of removable spring elements having holding arms. Theholding arms may be of any suitable number, size and configuration forthe supporting of articles, such as dolls, of various sizes andconfigurations.

As an alternate arrangement, a seat or support member, Which can be setup from a relatively flat, foldable blank, preferably of a cardboardmaterial, may be removably retained on the lower enclosure by insertinga tab on the seat member through a corresponding slot in the uppersurface of the enclosure, to thereby function to support one or moredolls in a seated position or in an elevated standing position.

The present invention, both as to its organization and manner ofoperation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, maybest be understood by reference to the following description, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which like referencecharacters refer to like elements in the several views.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a display apparatus constructed inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the upper end of the display apparatus shownin FIGURE 1, taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the rear upper portion ofthe display apparatus shown in FIGURE 1, showing the manner in which theupper enclosure is mountable on the upper portion of the supportingframe of the apparatus, and showing the removability of an identifyinglabel from the marquee portion of the upper enclosure;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a cut, scored and assembled blank fromwhich the upper enclosure for the display apparatus may be assembled;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken substan tially along line5-5 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a cut, scored and assembled blank fromwhich the seat member shown in FIGURES 1 and 5 may be assembled;

FIGURE 7 is an exploded perspective view of the elements of the wiresupporting frame of the instant display apparatus, showing one form ofattachment for the assembling of the horizontal and vertical wireelements;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary exploded view in perspective,showing an alternate form of removable attachment for the wire elementsof the supporting frame of the instant display apparatus;

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of an alternate form of resilient holdingmember for retaining an article, such as a toy figure or doll, on theinstant display apparatus;

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 5, showing the use of thealternate form of resilient holding member, illustrated in FIGURE 9, forretaining a doll in a seated position on the seat member of the instantdisplay apparatus; and

FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURE 10, showing the use of thealternate form of resilient holding member, illustrated in FIGURE 9, forretaining a doll in a standing position on the lower or base enclosureof the instant display apparatus.

As a preferred or exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIGURE1 illustrates a display apparatus 20 generally comprising an upstandingwire frame 22 having an enclosure 24, formed of a suitable flexible andfoldable material such as cardboard, removably mounted on the upper endthereof, and a similar enclosure 26 removably mounted on the lower endthereof. An upstanding support or seat member 28 is removably mounted onthe bottom enclosure 26 and is provided with a relatively fiat uppersupport panel 30 through which a portion of an article supporting frame32 extends for removable mounting on the bottom enclosure 26, in amanner to be described hereinafter. The article supporting frame 32 isadapted to retain one or more articles in various positions on both theupper panel 30 of the support member 28 and/or on the upper surface ofthe bottom enclosure 26, as will be more clearly understood from thedescription hereinafter.

Referring to FIGURE 7, the upstanding wire frame 22 comprises upper andlower, substantially horizontally extending end elements 34 and 36,respectively, each of which comprises a rear section 38 and a pair offorwardly diverging side sections 40. The rear section 38 of the upperend element 34 has an upstanding, apertured bracket 42 secured theretoin any suitable manner for the purpose of enabling the frame 22 to behung from a support, such as a partition or wall (not shown). The rearsection 38 of the lower end element 36 comprises an upstanding,generally U-shaped wire support 44 which is adapted to slidably receivean elongated channel member 46 for a purpose to be describedhereinafter. The wire support 44 is rigidly secured to the rear section38 of the lower end element 36 in any suitable or conventional,removable or permanent manner.

A pair of generally upstanding, rectangular side frame portions 48 and50 are secured to the diverging sections 40 of both the upper and lowerend elements 34 and 36, respectively. Each of the side frame portions 48and 50 comprises vertically extending, parallel sections 52, which areconnected by horizontally extending, parallel sections 54 (see FIGURE7). While the upstanding frame sections 52 are disclosed as unitary wireelements in the drawings, it is noted that these sections should beformed of telescoping members (not shown) which are in frictionalengagement and are adapted to be maintained in various relativepositions of adjustment, to thereby enable the height of the frameportions 48 and 50, and that of the frame 22, to be selectively varied.

The upstanding sections 52 of the side frame portions 48 and 50 may besecured to the diverging sections 40 of the end elements 34 and 36 inany suitable manner. For example, FIGURE 7 illustrates the use ofresilient spring clips 56 which are secured to the upstanding sections52 adjacent their ends and are adapted to be snapfitted over thediverging sections 40 of the end elements 34 and 36. The use of theseresilient spring clips 56 enables the frame portions 34, 36, 48 and 50to be substantially rigidly secured together, and to be easilydisassembled in such a manner that they can be stored in a minimum ofspace. Alternatively, the spring clips 56 could be mounted on thediverging sections 40 of the end elements 34 and 36, rather than on theside frames 48 and 50.

As shown in FIGURE 8, instead of the spring clips 56, the upstandingsections 52 could be provided with pins 58 that are slidably receivablein apertures 60 of the diverging sections 40 of the end elements 34 and36, for the purpose of removably securing the side frame portions 48 and50 to the end elements 34 and 36. It is to be understood, of course,that various other means may be utilized for removably or permanentlysecuring the side frame portions 48 and 50 to the end elements 34 and 36of the frame 22, Without departing from the spirit or scope of theinstant invention. For example, if the removability of these elements isnot desired, the upstanding sections 52 could be soldered or otherwisepermanently rigidly secured to the diverging sections 40 of the endelements 34 and 36.

Referring to FIGURES 2, 3 and 4, the upper enclosure 24 comprises afront panel 62 which is adhesive- 1y or otherwise secured in anysuitable manner to a flap 64 of a top panel 66 which, in turn, isconnected to a rear panel 68 having a folded flap 70 that is adhesivelyor otherwise secured to a bottom panel 72 (see FIGURES 3 and 4). Thebottom panel 72 is connected by a pair of diagonal fold lines 74 and 76to a pair of side panels 78 and 80, respectively. Each of the sidepanels 78 and 80 has a foldable flap 82 with an outwardly extendingfoldable tab 84 having a pair of foldable side portions 86. As partiallyseen in FIGURE 4, it will be readily understood that the upper enclosure24 may be formed and stored as a relatively flat blank having the sidepanels 78 and 80 extending substantially laterally outwardly from thebottom panel 72, and having the top panel 66 and the front panel 62disposed adjacent to and lying over and under the bottom panel 72,respectively.

In the assembling of the enclosure 24 over the upper end of the frame22, as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, the front and rear panels 62 and68 of the enclosure are folded upwardly to assume the generallyparallel, vertically extending positions shown in FIGURE 3. Thereafter,the enclosure 24 is positioned adjacent the upper ends of the side frameportions 48 and 50, and the upper end element 34 of the frame 22. Inthis position, the bottom panel 72 of the enclosure 24 underlies the endelement 34, with the side panels 78 and 80 extending beneath thediverging sections 40 of the end element 34 and between the verticalsections 52 of the side frame portions 48 and 50, respectively. The sidepanels 78 and 80 are then folded upwardly along the fold lines 74 and76, respectively, into a position wherein they engage and aresubstantially parallel to the planes of the side frame portions 48 and50, respectively, as shown by the arrows in FIGURE 3. The fiaps 82 ofeach of the side panels 78 and 80 are then folded over the upperhorizontal section 54 of each of the side frame portions 48 and 50,respectively, to a position wherein the tab 84 is in substantialalignment with an opening 87 in the upper panel 66, the opening 87 beingof substantially the same size and configuration as the tab 84. Thefoldable side portions 86 of each tab 84 are then inserted within theadjacent opening 87 in the top panel 66 for the purpose of retaining theupper enclosure 24 in an assembled position on the upper end of theframe 22 (see FIGURES 2 and 3). A pair of generally circular fingerapertures 89 are provided in the top panel 66 adjacent to the openings87 for the purpose of facilitating the insertion of the tab portions 86within the openings 87.

As shown in FIGURES 1 through 3, the front panel 62 of the upperenclosure 24 is provided with a pair of spaced, generally U-shaped slits88 on the upper portion thereof, which are adapted to slidably andfrictionally receive tabs 90 on a label member 92 for removably retaining the latter on the front panel 62. It will thus be readily seenthat the front panel of the upper enclosure 24 serves as a marquee fordisplaying label members having various forms of charactrizing indiciaor designs thereon for identifying different artcles to be displayed onthe instant apparatus.

The bottom enclosure 26 for the frame 22 is not disclosed in detailherein because it is of substantially identical construction to that ofthe upper enclosure 24 hereinbefore described. The lower enclosure 26,however, is assembled on the lower end of the frame 22 in a posi tionopposite to that of the upper enclosure'24, i.e., the upper panel 94 ofthe lower enclosure 96 corresponds to the lower panel 72 of the upperenclosure 24, and the front panel 96 of the lower enclosure 26 extendsdownwardly rather than extending upwardly in the manner of the front:panel 62 of the upper enclosure 24. The side panels 98 of the lowerenclosure 26, therefore, extend downwardly from the upper panel 94 andhave flaps and tabs which are folded underneath the lower end element 36and the side frame portions 48 and 50, to lock the lower enclosure in anassembled position on the frame 22 in a manner substantially the same asthat in which the upper enclosure 24 is assembled on the frame (seeFIGURE 5).

Referring to FIGURE 6, the seat or support member 28 comprises a frontpanel 100 to which the upper support panel 30 is hingedly attached, apair of side panels 102 and 104, and a rear panel 106, all of which areintegrally connected by fold or hinge lines of a blank formed of asuitable flexible and foldable material, such as cardboard or the like.The front panel 100 is provided with -a depending tab 108 which isadapted to be inserted through a slot 110 in the upper panel 94 of thelower enclosure member 26, for the purpose of retaining the seat member28 thereon '(see FIGURES 1 and 5). The upper panel 30 is provided with apair of rearwardly opening notches 112 for the purpose of retain-ablyengaging the adjacent pair of upstanding frame sections 52 (see FIGURE1), and with a generally laterally 'extending slot 114 which is adaptedto be vertically aligned with a complementary slot 116 in a foldable tab118 onithe bottom of the rear panel 106, when the upper panel 30 and thetab 118 on the rear panel 106 are folded into substantially horizontal,parallel positions, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 5.

The seat member 28 may be assembled or set-up from the blank shown inFIGURE 6 and mounted on the upper panel 94 of the lower enclosure 26 byfolding the .front and rear panels 100, 106, and the side panels 102,

104 into a generally rectangular form, and by folding the upper panel 30and the tab 118 of the rear panel 106 into substantially horizontal,parallel positions. The set-up seat member 28 then is placed on theupper panel 94 of the lower enclosure 26 in a position wherein thedepending tab 108 of the front panel 100 extends through the slot 110 inthe upper panel 94 of the lower enclosure 26. In this position, the slot116 in the horizontally exending tab 118 on the rear panel 106 receivesthe upstanding, generally U-shaped support 44 secured to the lower endelement 36 of the frame 22, the supporting element 44 extending upwardlythrough a slot 120 in the upper 'panel 94 of the lower enclosure 26,which is disposed beneath and vertically aligned with the slot 116 inthe tab 118 (see FIGURES l and 5). The bottom portion of the seat member28, therefore, is removably anchored on the upper panel 94 of the lowerenclosure 26, and the upper portion thereof is maintained in position bythe engagement of the recessed portions 112 of the upper panel 30 withthe adjacent upstanding frame sections 52.

The elongated channel member 46 is receivable within the slot 114 in theupper panel 30 of the support member 28, and the lower end thereof isadapted to frictionally receive the upstanding, generally 'U-shapedsupport 44 on the lower frame element 36 for the purpose of supportingthe channel member 46 on the frame 22 (see FIGURES 5 and 7). The upperend of the channel member 46 is adapted to slidably and frictionallyreceive a pair of depending legs 122 of the article supporting frame 32,which terminate at their lower ends in an integral, U-shaped connectingportion 124 (see FIG- URE 1). Secured to the upper ends of the legs 122in any suitable manner, is a wire element 126 having a rear section 128and outwardly diverging side sections 130, which are substantiallyparallel to the rear and side sections of the upper and lower endelements 34 and 36 of the frame 22. On the ends of each of the sidesections 130 of the article supporting frame 32, there are securedgenerally U-shaped, resilient retaining members 132 which are adapted toengage and retain articles, such as toy figures or dolls, to bedisplayed on the instant apparatus (see FIGURES l and 5). The ends ofthe side sections 130 are further provided with de pending wi-reelements 134 for engagement with the rear portion of a toy figure ordoll being engaged by the adjacent resilient retaining member 132. Thearticle supporting frame 32 also comprises an upstanding wire element136 which is secured to the rear section 128 and terminates in a thirdgenerally U-shaped resilient retaining member 138, which is engageablewith an article to be supported on the instant apparatus. The wireelement.136 also supports a depending wire element 140 which is adaptedto serve a function similar to the de pending elements 134 on the endsof the side sections of the frame 32.

It'will be readily seen that the display apparatus shown in FIGURES 1and 5 can be used to support and retain three. articles, such as toyfigures or dolls, by placing two of them on the upper panel 94 of thelower enclosure 26 and engaging them with the U-shaped, resilientretaining members 132, and 'by placing the third figure or doll on theupper panel 30 of the seat member 28 and maintaining it thereon byengaging it with the U- shaped retaining member 138 on the upstandingwire element 136 of the frame 32 (see FIGURE 5).

If the seat member 28 were to be removed from the apparatus shown inFIGURES 1 and 5, a figure could be supportedin a hanging, elevatedposition on the U-shaped retaining member 138, rather than in a standingposition on the upper panel 30 of the support member 28. Further, itwill be readily understood that the article sup-porting frame 32 may beconstructed in any other suitable manner and with any suitable number ofarticle retaining members of various sizes and configurations, dependingon the type of articles to be displayed, without departing from thescope of the instant invention.

FIGURES 9 through 11 are directed to a modified article supportingmember 200 which can be utilized with the instant display apparatus as asubstitute for the article supporting frame 32 shown in FIGURES 1 and 5.The modified supporting member 200- comprises a pair of legs 202 whichare connected at their lower ends by a U-shaped section 204, and whichdiverge upwardly and terminate in laterally extending, arcuate andresilient arms 206 having protective end covers or coatings 208 (seeFIGURE 9). As shown in FIGURE 10, the'legs 202 .of the modified articlesupporting member 200 are slidably receivable within the upstandingchannel member 46 of the instant display apparatus 20 for the purpose ofsupporting a toy figure or doll in a seated position on the upper panel30 of the support member 28, by the engagement of the resilientretaining arms 206 with opposite sides of a portion of the figure.

If it is desired to display a toy figure or doll in a standing positionon the instant display apparatus, the seat member 28 may be removed fromthe lower enclosure 26, and the figure may be placed in a standingposition on the upper panel 94 of the bottom enclosure and retainedthereon by engaging it with the resilient retaining arms 206 of themodified retaining member 200, as shown in FIGURE 11.

The upwardly diverging configuration of the resilient legs 202 of themodified retaining member 200 enables it to be mounted within thechannel member 46 in various positions of vertical adjustment, owing tothe resilient frictional engagement between the legs 202 and the channelmember 46. This arrangement, therefore, enables articles or figures ofvarious sizes and shapes to be displayed on the instant displayapparatus 20, and to be conveniently engaged by the resilient retainingarms 206 of the modified retaining member 200.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description, and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the formshereinbefore described being merely preferred embodiments thereof.

7 What is claimed is: v 1. Article display apparatus, comprising: anupstanding rigid open frame having spaced upstanding members, I I

first foldable sheet means separate from said frame and enclosing onlythe lower end of said frame and being removably mounted thereon, saidfirst foldable means having an upper horizontal surface adapted tosupport an article thereon, and

means removably mountedon said frame for retaining .an article in apredetermined position on said surface.

2. The apparatus .of claim 1, further comprising second foldable meansenclosing the upper end of said frame and being removably mountedthereon, said second foldable means having an upright front surface andremovable means thereon for identifying an article supported on saidfirst foldable means. I

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first foldable means comprisesa unitary sheet member having a plurality of foldable. panels and flapsmovably connected in predetermined assembled relation wherein theyenclose said lower frame end, one of said panels being an upper paneldisposed in a substantially horizontal plane and defining said uppersurface for support of an article thereon.

- 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said upstanding frame comprises aplurality .of spaced, upstanding wire elements, first horizontallyextending wire elements secured to said upstanding elements adjacent thelower ends thereof, and second horizontally extending elements securedto said upstanding elements adjacent the upper ends thereof, said panelsand flaps of said foldable member being folded over and mounted on saidfirst horizontally extending wire elements.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said upper panel .of said foldablemember is provided with a slot therein, and said frame includes supportmeans extending upwardly through said slot and removably supporting saidretaining means on said frame.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said retaining means comprises apair of flexible and resilient arms for engaging an article supported onsaid upper panel of said foldable member.

7. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein a seat member is removably mountedon said upper panel of said foldable member, said seat member having anupper supporting surface for supporting an article in raised relation tosaid foldable member.

, 8. Article display apparatus, comprising: 7 i

a frame havin'ga plurality of spaced, wardly extending wire elementsconnected by first substantially horizontally extendingwire elementsadjacent the lower ends thereof and second substantiallyhorizontallyextending wire elements adjacent the upper ends there- Y H Ifirst foldable means enclosing the lower end' of said frame andcomprising a. plurality of fol dable panels and flaps extending oversaid first substantially horizontally extending wireelements andremovably connected in assembled relation thereon, one of said panelsbeing an upper panel disposed in' a.substa ntially horizontal plane forsupport of an article thereon, x supportmeans on said frame extendingupwardly from said upper. panel of said first foldable means, .andresilient means removably mounted on said support means for retaining anarticle in a predetermined position on said upper panel of said'firstfoldable means.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said upper panel of said firstfoldable means comprises a slot therein, said support means comprises achannel member extending upwardly through said slot, and said resilientretaining means comprises a depending supporting portion'slidablymounted within said channel member.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising second foldable meansenclosing the upper end of said frame and comprising a plurality offoldable panels and fiaps extending over said second substantiallyhorizontally extending wire elements and removably connected inassembled relation thereon, one of said panels being a front paneldisposed in a substantially vertical plane and adapted to removablysupport a marquee thereon for the purpose of identifying an-articlesupported on said upper panel of said first foldable means.

I 2 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 632,143 8/1899 Patton 3122342,253,008 8/1941 Anderson 20645.19 X 2,442,980 6/1948 Lewis 206'45.14 X2,983,368 5/1961 Vander Lugt I '20645.14 3,178,243 4/1965 Dirmeyer312-234 3,292,793 12/1966 Ashcroft 211-13 X CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS,Primary Examiner.

